31

Today is a good day. Yesterday I talked with my sister and my grandma. I miss hanging out with them. It's not fun to live 9.5 hours away from your family. I bound and determined to go three weeks before the wedding so I can spend quality time with them. I miss them so much!!! When times get tough there's nothing like family. While I don't have much I appreciate those I have. Not to mention hanging out with my grandpa and his '57 Chevy. I had a blast going to Dairy Queen with him with all the other antique cars. Call me crazy but I like working on cars. I just wish I would have grown up working around them. I have a great desire to learn how everything works.... Maybe it's just in my curious nature.

Today is another great day. I'm learning to really analyze situations before saying things. I'm asking God to help me realize that sometimes people say things they don't mean because they're hurting. Sometimes people don't realize that what they say has an effect on other people. I know I sure didn't. I've learned my lesson and from now on I'm abiding by the "If-you-don't-have-anything-nice-to-say, Don't-say-nothing-at all" policy. After so many years of emotional abuse I'm finally learning to respond with love instead of anger. Let me tell you it's quite challenging. I told James yesterday how I wish sometimes my demeanor was more like Dr. Drew's. That man never gets upset about anything. Even if an addict on his show yells, screams or blames him, he responds calmly. I wish I could be just like that and perhaps, with time, I will. I know that God is the reason I'm alive today. If It weren't for him, I don't know that I would have survived. Through all my struggles he's been there with me leading me every step of the way. I've never been a huge fan of organized religion but I am religious. I think that sometimes those kind of people let things go to their heads and possess a "holier than thou" attitude towards others. I don't want to be like that. Yes, I am a Christian but I feel the greatest way to show others is to love them.


That being said I'm really going to put in more effort into giving back to others. I found a group in west Texas that I can be proud to be a part of and I can learn a new skill. I'm really thinking of joining Habitat for Humanity and helping build homes for the less fortunate. It's on my bucket list and since I'm not working, I can do this. I have talked about how I wanted to work but I really feel that I'm being pulled in another direction. Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of being a humanitarian and Mother Teresa was my idol. I can't help but admire those who put their needs aside for others. I can only aspire to be like them.

This is one of my favorite paintings!!

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”

I’m whispering “I was lost,

Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I don’t speak of this with pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble

and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I’m weak

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed

And need God to clean my

mess.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible

But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches

So I call upon His name.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not holier than thou,

I’m just a simple sinner

Who received God’s good grace, somehow.

Maya Angelou, you are truly, without a doubt, awesome. 

Gogogadgetgirl

30

Cleaned all day. Okay, not really.... the maid helped ^-^ . Spent all day reading and watching tv. Computer keeps turning off by itself claiming it's out of battery when it's plugged into the wall. Really weird. At least it was sunny today. Texas weather is so weird one day it's sunny and hot the next day it's windy and cold. MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!! Sheesh. James isn't home yet it's probably going to be a long night of tv watching for me. You won't hear me complaining though. I'm slowly getting into my homemaker role. It takes getting used to not being overly concerned with everything when you're no longer the main provider. Some days I feel like I'm going to go crazy if I don't start working. I'm still not sure how everything's going to work. I might try substitute teaching at the schools or maybe fill in for hygienists when they are sick. It would help me keep up my skills and earn some pretty good cash. Or I could always sell our crap on Ebay. Lord knows we have enough of it. 

I'm back on couponing again.Like I'm addict or something.....ppfftt. On Sunday I had so much fun with my 20 inserts. The $8.00 I spent in newspapers already paid for itself. Plus if it all ends well by the end of this week I should have close to free shampoo and body wash and possibly some cheap, much needed, mascara. I wish I would have gotten up earlier to get the paper so I could have snagged the 4 bags of free dog food but it turned out I wasn't the only one interested in that. By the time we got there it was all gone. :( Maybe i'll be luckier in the Little o. James and I decided after much consideration that we won't be moving to the city next to us. (Thank You, Jesus. I'm tired of moving) As much as it sucks having to haul laundry 30 feet away to your car and down the street to the laundromat, it's better than paying $900 a month for the same size apartment and the same no washer/dryer predicament. We like to saves money, duh!!! Just talking about it makes me want to drive home. I miss HEB. I don't understand Fort Worth. I mean how can you have a Central Market store owned by HEB and not have an HEB?!!?! It's crazy ridiculous. This is coming from the lady who wrote to Sprouts and told them they needed to build a store in our area. Call me crazy but if you don't speak up, you'll never get what you want. 

Speaking of which, I got my itty bitty bridal party support team their gifts. I'm really excited that I was able to get them something nice that I wouldn't have been able to get if they weren't on sale. I lucked out. I can't say what it is I got them but it WAS pretty pricey and now it's on sale. Wow, big hint right? I'm looking forward to getting those. James should be thrilled I, again, saved him so much money. He should have no problem marrying me. In fact, I'm a bargain!!! I cook (pretty darn good if I say so myself), clean and coupon. :)

29: Sunday Coupon Haul 1/29

Today was an eventful day. We started the day out grocery shopping and while I was there I picked up 20 inserts of coupons. There were so many great deals that I clipped the important ones and we headed back to the stores. Here's a wrap up of what I got!

Cvs:

6 lady speed stick deodorants $1.99 each
I used 3 buy one get one free coupons and total came out to 11.94 before coupons 6.00 something afterwards.
If you spend $12 or close to it you get 6 dollars in extra care bucks
So.... Long story short they were free!!! :)

WAGS

Buy any four dove products 4/$15
Used 4 $1/1 coupons
Paid $11

Buy blue diamond almonds 2/$4
Used 2 $1/1 coupons
Paid $2 for both cans

Total for WAGS= $13 or $8 with register reward for dove products :)

Sprouts
Buy 4 bags of kettle chips on sale for $2.06
Used 4 $1/1
Total for Sprouts= $4.24

Grand total for today $12.24

I did so good I rewarded myself with some O.P.I. Nail polish from the Muppet series. Im currently wearing Gone Gonzo!!!! I even got one for free. Such an awesome day!!! All that glitters is gold! :)

Gogogadgetgirl

28

Can't wait to pick up my new camera. I ordered a kodak 16mp camera from Walmart.com. I'm proud to say it only cost me $54. I can't pick it up until the 30th but I'm excited. It came with a camera case and a memory card. The best part is is salmon colored! I really don't know what my deal is these days with Salmon colored things but I'm in love. I think I'm just happy that spring is right around the corner. It's my favorite time of the year because the weather isn't too hot yet.

The days are also dwindling down for our trip back home. 10 more days and we can return to our stuff and apartment. James is doing well with his last two weeks of training. He only needs to pass three more attempts and he is finished. I told him to tell me when and I will get to preparing his feast. lol. Yes, I really enjoy cooking THAT much.

I've been trying to get back into my book that I'm reading but right now Law & Order:SVU is way more interesting : p I took a break since I've been reading at least one book every week for the last 10 we've been here. There really is nothing left to do. I mean mornings, there's breakfast in the lobby, lunch I eat by myself, and occasionally there's laundry or cooking but not much. I need substance!! I guess I better enjoy it now before I go home and have loads to do. It looks like everything I unpacked will be packed once again for another move. I'm totally ready though because to be honest, our current apartment is crappy. First of all, there aren't any lights in any rooms. My grandma had to buy us lamps to light up the rooms at night. Second of all the dishwasher is all rusted out so we can't use it and lastly our cars are about 20 feet away from our door.(with no washer or dryer or hookups carting the laundry to my car is soo much fun) The only plus is rent is cheap but I guess you get what you pay for. So I guess I better start looking now. : /

27

Omg! These are so addicting.

26

Looks like we may have a winner. For our wedding song anyway!

25

This morning didnt start off to be good. I got hatemail from someone who was supposed to love me unconditionally no matter what. It was full of f's. This is not unusual coming from this person which is why I dont associate with them.

That being said, Im not going to dwell on it any further. God knows what's in my heart and my intentions and he's the only person I have to prove it to. I only pray he give me the strength to deal with this snake in my life. I refuse to let my happiness rest in someone elses pocket.

Other than that nothing new today. I did get 7 free yogurt coupons which is awesome. I tried to get free macaroni but It was gone in under a minute. Kraft is hosting it on facebook if you want in "like" them on facebook. Thats all folks.